Is my battery toast?

[temccarthy1]

I have a 6 year old deep cycle battery for my TT. Has always worked fine even though we are always hooked to electric when we camp.. When I pulled the battery a couple weeks ago when I winterized the TT and put the battery in my garage to charge it ( haven't used the TT for several months) I noticed the water levels were low in several cells and the plates were not covered on 3 of the 6 cells . I added distilled water and filled them. On the charger I noticed it is making a bubbling noise and the battery is warm. Is this battery toast? Did the water levels get too low and the almost half gallon of water caused damage? Or am I kidding myself with a 6 year old battery?

[Atlee]

And if my TT was in winter hibernation, I would not replace it now.
Just wait until spring when you are going to awaken your TT from it's long winter sleep.

Unless you plan on using it during the winter, of course.

temccarthy1 wrote:
OP here...Thanks for all the replies. I tried charging it for a full day but the charger circuit break flipped. The great majority of you are correct--it is apparently shot! Will replace..

[temccarthy1]

OP here...Thanks for all the replies. I tried charging it for a full day but the charger circuit break flipped. The great majority of you are correct--it is apparently shot! Will replace..

[Passin_Thru]

We had a mechanic who could smell a battery and tell it was going bad.

[drsteve]

Exposed plates means sulfation. I would charge it until it stops taking it, then have it load tested. But it's most likely shot.

[3oaks]

Dennis12 wrote:
Its shot after 6 years. You sound like my wife. She tries to get two months out of a stick of gum. Time to spend.

For a second there, I thought you meant your wife was shot after six years. :B

Seriously, she should last a lifetime. 🙂

[KD4UPL]

Exposed plates means the battery is done. Replace it.

[Dennis12]

Its shot after 6 years. You sound like my wife. She tries to get two months out of a stick of gum. Time to spend.

[ScottG]

Bubbling while charging is normal and not a sign of a bad battery.
If you don't use the battery much it is probably fine for several more years. Just because it was low on water does not make it toast, especially the way you use it.

[westend]

keymastr wrote:
....I am getting one more battery box and getting 2 GC2 6 volt batteries, also at costco for about the same money. They are true deep cycles and are made to be discharged further without damage. With new cables and boxes it will be about $225 for way more than double capacity. Should allow me to run anything I need overnight without worry that I will wake up cold.

Good assessment of your battery use and the 6V's. I have a pair of Sam's Club 6V's in my trailer that are 5+ yrs old. They don't get abused, often. Today might be a good day to check them and see how they're aging but I'll bet that they go at least 10 years. I have them charging with solar every day.

[2112]

Is this battery toast? Yep!

6 years is a good run. You did well with it. Time for a new one.

If your camper is a pedestal princess like mine I agree any rebranded Johnson Controls hybrid battery is a good buy. Those are generally the Costco, Sam's/Wal-Mart brands. I've had good luck with the Wal-Mart 27D.

[keymastr]

Six years is about the normal life expectancy anyway. For $80 Costco has brand new marine/rv "deep cycle" batteries. Not a true deep cycle but undoubtedly better than what you have even if you get it to hold a charge.

I am getting one more battery box and getting 2 GC2 6 volt batteries, also at costco for about the same money. They are true deep cycles and are made to be discharged further without damage. With new cables and boxes it will be about $225 for way more than double capacity. Should allow me to run anything I need overnight without worry that I will wake up cold. 🙂

[Lwiddis]

TOASTED. “even though we are always hooked to electric when we camp” Why? Miss so many beautiful places when you require tethering.

[azrving]

1/2 a gallon? That may be more like about empty.

[time2roll]

Shot. Let it sit disconnected and get a new battery next season.